Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomes Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting in Islamabad. Photo: app
ISLAMABAD:
Although there is no immediate prospect of direct talks between Iran and the United States, diplomacy remains very much alive as a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity suggests a serious push to seek a permanent end to the war, it emerged on Sunday.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad after spending several hours in Muscat, Oman, as part of his ongoing diplomatic engagements. Araghchi traveled to Muscat on a Pakistani plane, while members of his delegation returned to Tehran for consultations with their country’s leaders.
Upon his return, his team regrouped in Islamabad to continue talks with Pakistani authorities. Significantly, sources said Araghchi met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir soon after arriving from Oman, as part of consultations on efforts to reduce regional tensions.
According to Iranian media, Araghchi also carried written messages outlining Tehran’s position on key issues, including its “nuclear red lines” and the Strait of Hormuz. The communication, the officials said, was not part of formal negotiations but an effort to clearly convey Iran’s stance amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
After a brief stopover in Islamabad, Araghchi is expected to travel to Moscow, where he will meet with Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin. Russia, a close ally of Iran, has previously offered to help resolve problems related to Tehran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.
What has emerged so far is that several countries in the region are actively participating in diplomatic efforts. Following his return from Oman, the Iranian foreign minister also held separate contacts with his Qatari and Saudi counterparts in what is seen as an attempt to develop a broader regional framework ahead of any potential deal between Tehran and Washington.
Gulf countries, which have been directly affected by the Iran-US-Israel conflict, both through the attacks and the fallout on energy markets, are eager to ensure that their concerns are reflected in any future agreement.
Turkey is also playing an active role in de-escalation efforts, and its Foreign Minister has contacted American negotiators, as well as their Iranian and Omani counterparts, to discuss the evolving situation.
Pakistan remains at the center of these diplomatic maneuvers. While the week-long security blockade in Islamabad has now been lifted, the possibility of eventual direct talks between the United States and Iran cannot be ruled out.
There appears to be a deliberate effort to keep the discussions secret, as excessive media attention is seen as counterproductive. Although the United States canceled its plans to send its team of negotiators to Islamabad, President Donald Trump’s messages have remained cautiously open.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the war with Iran would end soon and signaled that Washington was still open to compromise, stating, “If the Iranians want to talk, they can come to us.”
Trump again praised Pakistan’s efforts for peace talks and said he has “great respect” for Pakistan. “Big respect to Pakistan, but I’ll do it, because they’ve been fantastic. They’ve really tried and they’ll stay involved,” he said.
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, in a post on X, also praised Pakistan’s efforts for peace. He said Araghchi’s regional diplomatic tour was aimed at reviewing bilateral relations with Pakistan as well as holding consultations on the issue of regional developments.
“I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the government, army and people of Pakistan, especially His Excellency Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, for their tireless efforts and good offices initiative to end the war and bring lasting peace to the region,” he wrote.
“Here I express my sincere gratitude to the army staff, security forces, police, employees of all executive institutions and especially the honorable people of Pakistan and residents of Islamabad, for their patience, hospitality and cooperative synergy during this period. Iran-Pakistan Zindabad Friendship.”
Despite the absence of direct talks for now, Trump has indicated no intention to resume hostilities or end the ceasefire, reinforcing the sense that room for diplomacy is being preserved. Diplomatic sources said that given how much is at stake, both in terms of global peace and the economy, neither side wants a return to conflict.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by phone that Tehran would not start “imposed negotiations” under threats or a blockade, according to an Iranian government statement. He said the United States should first remove obstacles, including its maritime blockade, before negotiators can begin laying the groundwork for a deal.
There is also a growing view that the decision to maintain the indefinite ceasefire is part of a broader understanding to give diplomacy enough time to address complex issues. It is evident that the next round of talks between Iran and the United States can take place once broader issues are addressed through back channels.
In a related move, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that traffic restrictions around the Serena Hotel and Islamabad’s Red Zone had been lifted. He thanked the people of Pakistan, particularly the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, for their patience and cooperation, and said their support had helped ensure the safety of visiting delegations and facilitate ongoing peace efforts.
(WITH INPUTS FROM THE NEWS DESK)
